1. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has said several times, "We don't want to pass the ball 50 times." They did that twice this season -- a loss to Miami (53) and a victory at Minnesota (55). Brandon Weeden heaving the ball that often will lead to more sacks. Weeden has 16 in three games. There also will be batted passes. He led the league in that category last season, but has only two in 2013.

2. Weeden threw three interceptions in the opening loss to Miami. But since then, he's gone 99 passes without a theft. It's a huge game for Weeden and the Browns. A good start fires up the crowd, and helps the Browns create a home-field advantage. A lousy start brings out the boos, along with all the gnashing of teeth about why Brian Hoyer's knee injury had to end his season -- and why do things like this always happen to the Browns? In some ways, the first quarter could be as important as the fourth quarter.

3. Turner wants Weeden to "speed up the pace." Hoyer was very good at keeping a brisk tempo. His quick snaps caught the defense before they could set up. That has not been a strength for Weeden. We'll see if that can change, because fast snaps are a way to battle a strong pass rush.

4. Turner's goal for third-down conversions are in the 40-45 percent range. After opening the season at 5-of-29 in the first two games, they are 22-of-50 (48 percent). They were 6-of-16 with Weeden on the field in the victory over Buffalo.

5. There is nothing special about Willis McGahee's 127 yards in 49 carries (2.7 average). But the Browns believe the veteran is getting into game shape. He was not in training camp with any team while recovering from a knee injury. He carried the ball 26 times for 72 yards against the Bills. Turner said he likes to give the ball to McGahee near the goal line "because he keeps hammering the ball until he gets it in there."

6. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski was an assistant coach for the Miami Hurricanes when McGahee played there. He likes the veteran's toughness, and McGahee is a strong supporter of the coaches when he talks to younger players. That's part of the reason Chudzinski was thrilled to see McGahee's name on a list of running backs compiled by the front office as possible replacements for Trent Richardson.

7. Chudzinski has been very pleased with what he calls his "young leaders." That group includes Joe Haden, T.J. Ward and Phil Taylor. While D'Qwell Jackson and Joe Thomas are the "veteran leaders," the coach challenged some of his younger players to help in that area. Haden and Ward are in their fourth pro seasons, this is Taylor's third year. Chudzinski has asked that the leaders make sure the team doesn't take anything for granted because of a three-game winning streak.

8. While Fozzy Whittaker was mostly a return man with San Diego, where he averaged 26.0 yards on three kickoffs, the Browns also want to look at him as a running back. He came out of Texas in 2011, missing all of 2012 because of a knee injury. He had been signed and cut by Arizona and San Diego. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry (386 yards in 66 attempts) with the Longhorns in 2011. He averaged an eye-popping 42.4 yards per kickoff return before his 2011 knee injury ended his season. He also had other injuries in college. At one time, he was considered a prime running back prospect.

9. Inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson has played all but one snap in the first five games. Fellow ILB Craig Robertson has missed only 10 snaps. If the Browns do need another linebacker, Tank Carder has looked good in practice. He has played 10 snaps.

10. Johnson Bademosi has been receiving raves from the coaches for his work on special teams. Rookie Leon McFadden also has looked good in coverage. They share the team lead with four special teams tackles.

11. Detroit's Ndamukong Suh leads all players with 23 "quarterback hurries," according to Profootballfocus.com. The Browns are extremely worried about him, and fellow defensive tackle Nick Fairley is a challenge. You can be sure they will attack the Browns guards. Right guard Shawn Lauvao was very rusty in his first game back from an ankle injury and left guard John Greco has not been as solid as a year ago.

12. Making it even tougher for the Browns, defensive ends Willie Young and Ezekiel Ansah are extremely quick and tough to block. It could be another long game for right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

13. Wonder if the Browns will use some screen passes and/or draw plays to try and counter the Detroit pass rush.

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